We can provide a full turnkey network design and rollout planning service, with particular expertise in the wireless arena. This process includes service availability calculations, licence liaison with the regulatory authorities, line of sight surveying, full site design and capacity specifications through to installation, commissioning and ongoing network management. Our design capabilities extend across telecommunications and broadcast technologies including:

• GSM
• Private Mobile Radio/TETRA
• DTT
• DAB
• 3G
• Wireless Broadband

Through careful consideration of network performance and equipment specification; route, link, site, planning and licence requirements we are able to provide a responsive, bespoke design service that fulfils the diverse requirements of our broadcast and telecom clients.

Coverage and Capacity

Our service also covers confirmation of site viability through detailed radio network coverage planning including radio propagation modelling; the extent of coverage by conducting radio coverage surveys; frequency planning; advance studies on the impact of transmission mode changes, link budget analysis, site assessment, site selection detailed site design and site acquisition support.

Quantities of mobile sites and elements of the network are also estimated through initial radio network coverage dimensioning and capacity planning. Optimised W-CDMA network planning is achieved using advanced planning tools with simulation capabilities.

We can also produce tailored specifications for radio links, multiplexers, backup power supplies and other elements that make up a working network. As proof of this capability we have also designed and currently operate in excess of 150 radio links distributing digital and analogue broadcast voice and vision traffic for the BBC and other broadcast customers. This experience extends to engineering bespoke microwave solutions including space diversity operation for over water links and low-impact solutions in sensitive locations.

Working in conjunction with our Antenna Services team, spectrum planners generate bespoke requirements for broadcast antennas in order to meet coverage requirements by producing antenna template designs.

Optimising the Design

We have gained considerable experience planning thousands of radio links, experience that will be brought to bear when designing your links.

Using specialised radio survey vehicles or helicopter surveys, our spectrum and radio planning team can collect extensive measurement data on broadcast and telecom networks, enabling the identification and diagnosis of live network faults. This data also enables verification of actual coverage compared with predicted levels of coverage. Subsequent optimising of network performance is achieved through site configuration changes and base station parameter changes driven by the survey results and analysis of network statistics.

We have an extensive database of third party sites that can be used for the location of wireless infrastructure. This database is used to produce routes optimised for customer priorities, whether fast implementation, low capital investment, or low operating costs. Our personnel have developed good relationships with many of the operators as a result of working on a number of joint projects.